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Yesterday, the news was all about Aaron Rodgers returning to the field under center for the Green Bay Packers. Today, the news should be about rookie running back Eddie Lacy, who practiced on Friday and is listed as Probable for Sunday's NFC North-deciding game against the Chicago Bears.
According to head coach Mike McCarthy, Lacy practiced in a limited fashion Friday, saying he was on a "short rep count" but that the team is "confident he will be ready to go." That is great news for a Packers offense that will likely rely on the running game to help ease its star quarterback back into the game plan. Furthermore, the Bears feature by far the worst rushing defense in the league, allowing 161.5 yards per game (25.6 more than the next-worst defense) and 5.4 yards per carry (0.6 YPC more than the next-worst team). Finally, Lacy had the best rushing day of his career against the Bears in Week 9, recording 150 yards on 22 attempts.
The Packers' full injury report is below:
PROBABLE
ILB Brad Jones
RB Eddie Lacy
OLB Mike Neal
OLB Nick Perry
NT Ryan Pickett
TE Andrew Quarless
QB Aaron Rodgers
TE Jake Stoneburner
TE Ryan Taylor
OUT
OLB Clay Matthews
It seems likely that Nick Perry will start in Matthews' place at right outside linebacker, the position from which Perry has recorded most of his sacks this year. Neal will likely start on the left side. The Bears, meanwhile, should have the services of linebacker Lance Briggs, who missed the first game against the Packers but played last week and was a full participant in practice all week.
The other injured Packer of interest this week is Randall Cobb, who has yet to be reactivated off Injured Reserve. McCarthy said Cobb did "a lot of work" on Friday and would be evaluated on Saturday as to whether he could be activated and potentially play in Sunday's game.
Keep it here for continuing coverage leading up to Sunday's game.
